Yankees sign Gallego for $5.1 million

January 08, 1992

A day after signing Danny Tartabull for $1 million a year more than their competitors were offering, the New York Yankees gave free-agent second baseman Mike Gallego a $5.1 million, three-year contract.

Gallego, 31, had received just one other offer: a $4.2 million, three-year proposal from Oakland, his former club.

The signing gives the Yankees three second basemen: Gallego, Steve Sax and Pat Kelly. But New York is attempting to trade Sax, and general manager Gene Michael said Gallego can play third and shortstop.

Gallego batted .247 last season with career highs in doubles (15), triples (4), home runs (12) and RBI (47). For his career, he has hit .232 in 729 games.

* BLUE JAYS: Manager Cito Gaston, who missed 33 games during the 1991 season with a back injury, underwent successful surgery on his lower spine. Gaston, 47, who had suffered from a compressed nerve root at the fifth lumbar, had the compression relieved and is expected to make the opening of spring training in seven weeks.

* TWINS: Free agent Mike Pagliarulo returned. The third baseman, who made $655,000 last season, agreed to a $1.2 million deal with the chance to make $570,000 more in performance bonuses. Outfielder Shane Mack agreed to a one-year deal of $1,075,000, almost four times as much as the $270,000 he was paid in 1991.

* CARDINALS: Pedro Guerrero, 35, agreed to a one-year deal worth $2,425,000. Guerrero, who made $2,283,333 last year, will play left field this year after playing first base for St. Louis since August 1988.

* CUBS: Right-hander Jeff D. Robinson, who pitched for California last season, agreed to a $375,000 minor-league contract. Robinson, who made $1 million last season, can earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses.

* METS: The club took the rare step of filing for salary arbitration against infielder Dave Magadan. Usually, players file, not clubs, but by taking the step the Mets forced Magadan to exchange figures on Monday. Normally, players file on the final day and exchange figures with their clubs three days later, which will be Jan. 17 this year.